LAPM Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview

1. A public agency or non-profit organization that advertises, opens bids, awards and administers a construction contract, is defined as the Administering Agency.

True

False

2. An FTIP is a three-year list of transportation projects proposed for Federal funding by Caltrans.

True

False

3. The FSTIP is a three-year list of all transportation projects proposed for Federal funding within the state.

True

False

4. For Federal projects, development is broken into three phases -- Preliminary Engineering, Right of Way, and Construction.

True

False

5. Projects with State only funding require more oversight and review than those with Federal funding.

True

False

 LAPM Chapter 2: Roles and Responsibilities

1. Stewardship agreements between FHWA and Caltrans exempt the following projects from FHWA review and oversight (select all that apply):
Non-NHS federal-aid projects

Non-Interstate NHS projects (including "3R")

Interstate "3R" projects with a construction cost greater than $1 million

Other (non-"3R") Interstate projects with a construction cost greater than $1 million


2. For stewardship purposes, reconstruction may include which of the following (select all that apply):

Reconstructing an interchange by adding, moving, or relocating ramps

Replacement of a bridge or major parts of a bridge

Addition of a lane, except climbing or auxiliary

Major modification to Traffic Management Center

Pavement overlays

Significant change in horizontal or vertical alignment

Major seismic retrofit projects

Nose job



3. For non-NHS projects, FHWA responsibility for ensuring compliance with Federal requirements is limited to non-Title 23 activities such as right of way and civil rights issues.

True

False

4. Caltrans and FHWA use process reviews to determine if local agencies are in compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and procedures.

True

False

5. For non-NHS Federal Aid projects, the local agency is delegated full decision making authority and responsibility for the following (select all that apply):

PS&E preparation and certification

Right of way certification

Whether or not to hold a field review

Determination and approval of project DBE Availability Advisory percentage

Approval of design exceptions

Preparation and approval of Quality Assurance Programs

Whether or not ADA will apply

When to go to lunch



6. It is NOT the responsibility of the local agency to initiate a request for a CTC vote when one is needed.

True

False

7. A local agency must work with its MPO/RTPA and the CTC to ensure that its projects are placed in the appropriate TIP with the correct funds and project years.

True

False

 LAPM Chapter 3: Project Authorization

1. Prior to beginning reimbursable work, a project (or phase) must be formally authorized by FHWA, or Caltrans, if delegated.

True

False

2. A project must be included in the current federally approved FTIP/FSTIP before Federal funds can be authorized for any activity.

True

False

3. ER projects involving substantial functional, location or capacity changes must be included in the FTIP/FSTIP.

True

False

4. Which of the following types of work are eligible for Federal reimbursement in the Preliminary Engineering (PE) phase of a project?

Environmental Studies

Location Studies

NEPA Approval

Preliminary Right of Way Studies related to the Environmental Process

Right of Way Acquisition

Final Design (Plans, Specifications, and Estimate)



5. If right of way is not acquired or a construction contract is not awarded by the close of the fifth fiscal year following the year of PE authorization, any expended federal funds must be returned to the federal government, unless a time extension is granted by FHWA.

True

False

6. The request for Right of Way authorization must include an approved NEPA document and a completed Field Review Form (if not submitted previously).

True

False

7. Authorization to proceed with construction on Federal-aid projects must be received prior to awarding the construction contract.

True

False

8. The project specific program supplement agreement (PSA) must be signed by the agency and executed by Caltrans prior to requesting reimbursement of funds.

True

False

9. For projects subject to Full Oversight, FHWA will not authorize projects with Federal shares below 20% of the eligible cost.

True

False

10. Under the local advance construction process, a local agency must have sufficient local funds to pay for all project costs until such time as federal funds become available.

True

False

11. Tapered match provisions can be used on advance construction projects.

True

False

12. For a cash donation to be eligible for credit under Federal flexible match provisions, it must be received during the period between project approval/authorization and submittal of the project final voucher.

True

False

13. Federal guidelines permit agencies to transfer certain federal funds from the jurisdiction of FHWA to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), but not from FTA to FHWA.

True

False

 LAPM Chapter 4: Agreements

1. The local agency is responsible for preparing the Local Agency Agreement Checklist (Exhibit 4-A) and the Field Review Form (Exhibit 7-B) to initiate preparation of the Local Agency/State agreement.

True

False

2. Work may be performed by a consultant on behalf of the local agency, provided that a fully qualified and licensed employee of that agency is in responsible charge.

True

False

3. No contract for the construction of a Federal-aid project shall be awarded until the necessary rights of way have been secured.

True

False

4. No person will be displaced until comparable decent, safe and sanitary replacement bridge underpass is available within a reasonable period of time prior to displacement.

True

False

5. Federal-aid program amounts may be increased to cover project cost increases only if such funds are available and FHWA concurs with that increase.

True

False

6. Local agencies are required to retain all original records for three years from payment of final voucher, or four years from final payment, whichever is longer.

True

False

7. Local agencies receiving $500,000 or more in Federal aid per year shall have an audit performed by an independent audit firm.

True

False

8. If a local agency fails to perform in accordance with the Master Agreement, the state may terminate the agency.

True

False

 LAPM Chapter 5: Accounting/Invoices

1. A local agency must have an approval letter from Caltrans Audits and Investigations for each fiscal year it claims reimbursement for indirect costs.

True

False

2. Local agencies must claim all reimbursable work within one year of project completion, or prior to the expiration of the project agreement, whichever comes first.

True

False

3. Local agencies may submit invoices for reimbursement of participating project costs not more than twice per month.

True

False

4. Which of the following must be included on every invoice?

Date of invoice

Time period covered by invoice

Invoice and billing number

Project number

Project location

Project Expenditure Authorization (EA)

Local Agency/State agreement number

Agency Federal Tax ID number

Phase of Work headings

Documentation of expenses being claimed

Federal Appropriation Codes

Federal Authorizaation/Agreement date for each phase of work

Cost breakdown by Federal Appropriation Codes

Local Agency Certification Statement and Signature

Local Agency Contact person



5. An audit is required if an agency receives more than $1,000,000 in federal funds from all sources during a fiscal year.

True

False